Shadow Being System

The atmosphere in the dojo was lively as the students practiced their newly learned footwork techniques. The rhythmic thuds of feet hitting the ground echoed through the room, and occasional murmurs of encouragement and competition filled the air. William, alongside the others, tried to perfect his movements, adjusting his stance and focusing on his balance.

Suddenly, their instructor, an old man with a commanding presence and a sharp gaze, stepped onto the platform. With a single wave of his hand, the noise in the room died down, and all eyes turned toward him.

"Enough," he said, his voice carrying authority despite its calm tone. "Stop what you're doing. I have an announcement to make."

The students straightened, curiosity and unease washing over them. William noticed how some shifted nervously, while others leaned forward with anticipation.

The instructor's gaze swept over the class. "Next week, you will face your first hunting test."

Gasps filled the room. A murmur of excitement and fear spread like wildfire. Hunting tests were a rite of passage, a moment when students would prove themselves by facing the unknown dangers of real combat.

The old man raised a hand, silencing the chatter. "Your goal will be to hunt beasts. Not here, but on another planet. These beasts are far more dangerous than any training dummy or sparring partner you've faced. You must be prepared for injuries—or worse."

The tension in the room was palpable. Some students gulped audibly, their expressions betraying fear. Others tried to mask their anxiety with bravado, smirking as if the task would be easy.

William, however, remained calm, though his heart raced. His mind wandered to the first time he encountered a beast. It was during the heretics' attack in the tunnel. The memory was vivid—he remembered the overwhelming sense of terror, the guttural roar of the beast, and the suffocating stench of its breath. He had barely managed to fight it off, relying heavily on the system's guidance. Yet somehow, he'd killed it.

That battle had been chaotic and terrifying, but it had also awakened something in him. Since then, he hadn't faced another beast, and the thought of testing his strength now filled him with a mix of excitement and determination. He clenched his fists, eager to see how far he'd come.

"For this outing," the instructor continued, "you will be allowed to use weapons of your choice. Choose wisely, for your weapon may very well decide whether you survive or not."

The old man gestured toward the walls of the dojo, which were adorned with an array of weapons. Blades, clubs, bows, and axes gleamed under the light, each carefully displayed on racks or mounted against the walls. Some weapons had intricate designs, glowing faintly with strange energy, while others exuded raw power.

"These are no ordinary weapons," the instructor explained. "They are forged from beast crystals, each possessing unique supernatural qualities—enhanced sharpness, immense strength, or even special abilities. Choose wisely."

The students moved toward the walls, a mix of awe and excitement in their steps. William followed, his eyes scanning the impressive array of weapons. Ever since he was a child, he'd dreamed of wielding a weapon, imagining himself as a hero in countless stories. He picked up a sword, testing its weight and balance. It felt natural in his hand, almost too perfect.

His mind wandered briefly to the sword Mr. Beth had given him before he left the orphanage. That blade had been his companion during his first encounter with a beast, but it had shattered during the battle. He had mourned its loss, and now, standing amidst these powerful weapons, he felt a sense of longing for something that would truly complement him.

He tested several weapons—swords, spears, even a club. Each one was extraordinary, clearly designed to surpass anything a normal human could wield. But none of them felt... right.

As he ran his hand over a particularly elegant sword, the system spoke in his mind.

"Don't choose a sword."

William froze. "Why not?" he asked silently. "Swords are cool, sharp, and easy to fight with. Why wouldn't I choose one?"

"While it's true that swords are versatile, they don't align with your abilities. You'll find yourself limited if you rely on a sword."

William frowned, confused. "Then what should I choose?"

"An arrow," the system replied.

William blinked, baffled. "An arrow? How is an arrow better than a sword?"
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"Your abilities—shadow control, lightning, and copycat—are better suited to a weapon that allows precision and subtlety. With an arrow, you can attach your shadow to it, masking its true nature and using the shadow to control the direction of the arrow pretending you're using the wind ability, keeping the fact that you've lost your wind ability a secret. Additionally, if Zarin is with you and you're able to copy his wind ability can amplify its range and power. A sword may seem easier, but it won't give you the flexibility and advantage that an arrow can."

William hesitated, glancing at the bows and quivers of arrows on the wall. The system's explanation made sense, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He'd always imagined himself as a swordsman, not an archer.

Still, the system had never led him astray. With a sigh, he approached the section of the wall where the bows and arrows were displayed.

As he examined the bows and arrows, a particularly enthusiastic student nearby was swinging a massive battle axe, nearly taking out three of his classmates in the process. "I shall name thee 'Sir Chopps-a-lot'!" the student declared proudly, right before losing his balance and face-planting into the training mat.

William couldn't help but smile, silently thanking the system for not recommending anything that might result in him becoming a viral training room blooper. He turned his attention back to the weapons wall, where the bows and arrows were displayed.

That's when he saw it – a sleek, obsidian-black bow that seemed to drink in the light around it. But it was the arrows that truly caught his attention. Each shaft was crafted from a material that looked like dark silver, with intricate runic patterns etched along its length that pulsed with a subtle blue glow. The arrowheads were masterpieces in themselves, fashioned from what appeared to be crystallized shadow essence, their edges so sharp they seemed to cut the very air around them. Small veins of electric blue crystal ran through the shadowy tips, creating an effect that reminded William of lightning splitting a night sky.

As he examined the weapon, the system spoke again. "This bow will serve you well. Trust me."

William nodded, determination hardening in his eyes. If this was the weapon that would help him survive and grow stronger, so be it. "Alright,"

he muttered under his breath. "Let's see what this can do."